Chapter 11 Nick

He was on the hunt, in his element, with sounds and smells telling a story all their own. An armory of weapons were like a security blanket, encasing his body as he moved lithely through the woods. Tight primal energy gave him a stance that said he would pounce on his prey in an instance, ready to take back what was his! Only one other time had Nick felt this dangerous and ironically the figure next to him was the cause of both episodes. Ever tall and straight, Eve was alert. In this instance, to be fair, she wasn't wholly responsible. Sean, BC, and, to some extent, Diana were all to blame for Kelly being without his mother. Nick felt hollow from Adalind's absence again. Just when he thought his family was complete, he'd been gutted by Adalind's choice to leave once more. It wasn't only Kelly that he needed in his life, but perhaps Adalind didn't believe Nick wanted her. After all, he never reassured her that she was important to him, merely that Kelly was his life.

He glanced over at the woman that taught him some hard lessons in life, ones that no one wants to learn, but everyone needs to be educated in. Juliette, and now this new Eve, made him realize how naive he had been six years ago when he saw his first Wesen walk out of that coffee shop. Adalind made his world stand still in that moment, first with her beauty, then with her Woge. His life would never be the same. At that point Juliette had become the stumbling block to his destiny, the realization struck him with a powerful blow that almost broke his concentration. No matter how much Nick had loved Juliette, there was a part of the man he was becoming with his aunt's passing that she would never truly accept or love. He had thought his aunt Marie callous when she told him to end things with Juliette, perhaps a bit delirious from her illness, but now Nick comprehended. The greatest mercy his love could have given Juliette, at that time, was freedom. Freedom from the road he would have to walk. She never would've become what she was today. She never would have to bear the burden of all those deaths, including his mother's, because she would have lived the normal life she so desperately had desired. Crushing guilt made him stare at her till she turned.

"I should have let you go," Nick spoke quietly so the others wouldn't hear, but he could tell he had her attention. "I'm so sorry I dragged you into this world."

"You didn't and I'm not," her simple words startled him. Eve noticed but looked ahead. Continuing forward, she said, "When Juliette lost her memories of you, you did let her go. You moved out and gave her the whole house, all the space she needed. She chose to reintergate you back into her life and learn about the Wesen world. Listen, just because I'm not the same woman doesn't mean I don't regret those lives taken that Juliette was responsible for, or for the loss of the trailer, but now that these feelings have opened my eyes I know I won't stop doing what's right for those weaker than myself. Now, I just have the power to make a difference!" The passion with which she said that last statement made Nick pause. Was that the way Juliette felt before, powerless to help in the Wesen world? Powerless to prevent what was happening to him, to their friends, or to herself? No wonder the Hexenbiest powers, at a time when she felt scorned and betrayed, made her power hungry and a little insane. "For what it's worth," she started again when he thought she had finished, "I no longer blame any of you, not even Adalind really. After seeing her with her children and her sacrifice to walk away from one because of the other, just to protect you and Kelly, I think I understand her motivations all along. Adalind doesn't seem to see the bigger picture. Her driving motivation in everything she does is for those she loves, Sean and her mother initially, then her children, and finally you. I think that's why you fell in love with her. She's just like you, Nick." Eve's clear eyes met his astonished ones. When had that happened and how could Eve see it before he could?

He gulped, his throat dry from all these revelations. "I... I don't know what to say," he stammered.

That brought something to Eve's face Nick almost forgot exsisted. Her dimpled smile crested and Nick felt like he had his friend back. "Don't worry. Let's just go save your family and stop Renard. I think Sean's in the same place Juliette was when the Hexenbiest was taking over," she responded and refocused. They were lagging behind so the two of them swiftly closed the distance.

Their pack proceeded in silence as they neared the mansion. Several figures came into view as guards for the new Mayor's home, perhaps too much muscle for a Mayor-elect but after Dixon's assassination no one seemed to blink at the small army Renard had. So BC wasn't completely finished, he thought to himself.

When Nick had exclaimed that they were going after Adalind and Diana, Rosalee didn't blink. Monroe, however, was by no means enthusiastic. "I'm not so sure that's wise," he replied. Yet after Nick glared at him he continued, "but I'm here if you need my help, Buddy."

"We understand," Rosalee reassured him with a nod.

"Burkh... Nick," Eve started after a moment. "I know it's not my place... but as someone who not only knows the way power corrupts, but I've experienced Diana's abilities first hand when she contacted her mother and I telepathically, let me just warn you that I'm not sure Diana can even control herself. She's only two years old! Self control may not be possible at her age." Her logic tried to break through his resentment. "You'll need my help. If not with Diana, at least let me take care of getting everyone in safely," she finished sincerely, meeting his scowl with acceptance. Nick nodded slowly, letting out a long breath. This Eve had seemed still her own person, clear and level-headed, but she was tempered with Juliette's emotions.

Surprisingly, it was Trubel that gave him the most fight. "Nick, Diana doesn't want you near her mother and what that little girl wants, she gets," Trubel couldn't keep the tears from pooling in her eyes as she spoke. "We just lost Meisner, I don't want to lose you too," she finished sadly.

Nick came over and placed his hands on her shoulders, "Trubel, I know you're worried and you're right about Diana being dangerous, but my mother knew what she needed was normalcy and love. I bet that's still the key. It won't be easy but I'd rather Diana and my son both not lose their mother!"

His mind returned to the present as Monroe, Alexander, and three other Wesen from the resistance in the surrounding area took left flank. Eve, Wu, Hank and two more of Alexander's recruits took the right. Nick, Trubel, and the remaining three Wesen advanced ahead. He sent up a silent prayer that his son wouldn't lose two parents this night. Rosalee and Kelly were safe under a blanket of protection Eve had laid down around the cabin, some sort of spell of blindness. Supposedly, no one would see or remember that that cabin was even there.

They had coordinated this strike to be precisely at the same time, watches synchronized. It was dusk and his group was only one of three units coming in from all sides. The twenty-four hours it'd taken to gather all the help Alexander knew about and plan this offensive had Nick tight with nerves. Kelly had a rough night without his mother or his routine. Rosalee had taken shifts with Nick when the baby awoke restlessly and he was never so thankful for the Fuchsbau. It was time to get Adalind back and show Diana the love she needed to control her power. Nick focused on the silhouette of the mansion, backlight with the last remaining gold of sunset. The air had become crisp as the heat of the day left. He looked down at his watch as the time approached. His group spread out to cover the five figures in front of them as quietly as possible, using his gun would be a last resort.